Hawker de Havilland has undertaken research & development initiatives to utilise off-the-shelf automation technology to improve the functionality and efficiency of aerospace assembly processes. Several applications have been demonstrated, including the assembly of composite ribs and skins prior to consolidation, the drilling and trimming of composite components in preparation for assembly operations and the drilling of assemblies.
Through all of these demonstrations, the same technology base has been applied – that of industrial robotics. This paper will present the technical aspects of two, individual problems and the solutions implemented.
The problem and solution for the application of the assembly of dry, reinforced composite ribs to skins in a unitised box prior to consolidation of the composite assembly will be presented. The study will include detailed requirements and the control solution via force-torque sensor integration and manipulation.
This paper will also present a means in which to improve the utilisation of the industrial robotic solutions discussed via a flexible mobile platform. Detail will be included on the factory integration, method of operations and the safety aspects that have been addressed. Also included will be the methods of indexing the mobile automation to the work piece.